Spelunky 2

What to Know

Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 47

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Spelunky 2 is a masterpiece – an outstanding sequel that adds to what made Spelunky great without changing too much of the essentials.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 47

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 47

Spelunky 2 is a masterpiece - an outstanding sequel that adds to what made Spelunky great without changing too much of the essentials.

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Awards & Recognition

Critic Reviews for Spelunky 2

Reviews

High Score - 100/100

Low Score - 60/100

Gold TIER

44% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100

Mitchell Saltzman (IGN)

10/10

“Spelunky 2 is a masterpiece of procedurally generated platforming that stays true to the legendarily challenging original while also holding surprises around every corner.”

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Brian Shea (Game Informer)

9/10

“No matter how many times I yelled in frustration, I couldn’t wait to jump right back into the ever-shifting caves.”

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Christian Donlan (Eurogamer)

Recommended

“A legendary game gets a legendary sequel.”

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Read the Reviews (47 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
3DNews	Михаил Пономарев	8 / 10	10-04-2020	Maybe Spelunky 2 is not setting the highest bar ever, but it’s still a challenging, variative and jolly roguelike ride.	Read review
Ars Technica	Sam Machkovech	Recommended	09-19-2020	Like last time, your craziest failures in Spelunky 2 play out like lessons. Unlike last time, the number of crisscrossing variables has skyrocketed, so there’s a lot more to learn and, hence, a lot more fun to have while dying in the name of treasure-hunting success.	Read review
Atomix	Alberto Desfassiaux	90 / 100	09-28-2020	Spelunky 2 is the perfect evolution of the first game. One of the most fun experiencias of this year.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	Kyle Hanson	4.5 / 5 stars	09-14-2020	Spelunky 2 enhances and expands on what worked in the first game without “fixing” anything that wasn’t broken. In that way it’s the perfect sequel for fans who have been playing this game for over a decade. Newcomers might be scared away by the difficulty and seemingly impenetrable secrets, but the effort to get through this is well rewarded.	Read review
Destructoid	Chris Carter	8 / 10	09-14-2020	Spelunky 2 is more Spelunky. It doesn’t wildly reinvent the formula, and even brings back a lot of the same hazards and enemies that tormented you the first time around. But it innovates ever so slightly in so many ways to help give this sequel its own life. Either way, it sucked me back in.	Read review
Digital Chumps	Nathaniel Stevens	9 / 10	09-03-2018	Spelunky 2 is an absolute delight to play, even in the midst of my repeating failure in the game. Its randomized level generator and the bevy of tools to strategize your way through each level makes for a fun time. While the PvP isn’t up to snuff with the main adventure, the ability to play this game with friends (online or local) will keep you occupied for months to come.	Read review
DualShockers	Ricky Frech	9.5 / 10	10-07-2020	Spelunky 2 takes the ridiculously polished foundation from the first game and blows it out with new content, mystifying secrets, and big-time cave mole jerks.	Read review
EGM	Michael Goroff	8 / 10	09-18-2020	Spelunky 2 rests on the laurels of its predecessor, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It still retains all of the gameplay mechanics and level design that made the original such a satisfying experience. But as a sequel, Spelunky 2 feels a little too scared to expand its horizons. For a game that’s all about taking risks, Spelunky 2 is surprisingly risk-averse.	Read review
Eurogamer	Christian Donlan	Recommended	09-14-2020	A legendary game gets a legendary sequel.	Read review
Game Informer	Brian Shea	9 / 10	09-14-2020	No matter how many times I yelled in frustration, I couldn’t wait to jump right back into the ever-shifting caves	Read review
Gameblog	Vincent Elmer-Haerrig	6 / 10	11-04-2020	Spelunky 2 is a divisive game. A masterpiece for those who swear by the reward at the end of their suffering, it will be painful and boring for those who want a fulfilling and contemporary experience. Even more difficult than the first game, it is undoubtedly frustrating because of its lack of pedagogy and progressiveness. Even for a game that wants to be difficult, the shock will be rough from the begining.	Read review
GamePro	Dennis Michel	90 / 100	09-22-2020	Familiar, fresh and ruthless. Spelunky 2 is one of the best roguelikes of all time.	Read review
Gamersky	金闪闪老里	9 / 10	09-23-2020	Spelunky 2 is a superb hard-core platformer and you might be tortured by the traps and monsters in the random-generated maps thousands of times. However, once you master all the tricks, the challenges and the variety of the gameplay will make you engaged.	Read review
GameSpot	Andrew King	8 / 10	09-18-2020	Spelunky 2 is a successful evolution of what made the original Spelunky work.	Read review
GameZone	Joshua Russo	9 / 10		The long year of 2020 has yet to come to a close, but if I was asked today Spelunky 2 would absolutely be my indie game of the year. There has not been a more challenging, rewarding, delightful and just plain fun game that even comes close. Everyone at Mossmouth really did a fantastic job bringing a worthy successor to an already beloved cult classic. If you love platformers or roguelikes and you have not checked out this game yet, it just may be your favorite game that you’ve never played.	Read review
GamingBolt	Shubhankar Parijat	8 / 10	09-21-2020	If you loved the original, you’re going to love Spelunky 2, and find it equal to its predecessor in all ways except one- where the original was a trail blazer, the new game seems content to, much like it asks of its players, simply plumb into familiar depths.	Read review
GamingTrend	David Flynn	75 / 100	09-14-2020	While Spelunky 2 doesn’t offer the refined mechanics and enemies of the original, it does add to the chaos and fun of multiplayer. While playing alone is mostly an exercise in frustrating, unfair deaths, with friends it’s a barrel of laughs.	Read review
God is a Geek	Lyle Carr	9.5 / 10	09-25-2020	Spelunky 2 improves upon the original in every conceivable way, and if you can tolerate the difficulty is an absolute must-play.	Read review
Guardian	Tom Bramwell	4 / 5 stars	09-14-2020	Derek Yu’s influential cave-delving game is updated for PS4 and PC and expands the magic – with turkeys	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Marcus Estrada	4.5 / 5 stars	09-23-2020	Mossmouth did the impossible with Spelunky 2 in managing to create a sequel to an incredible game that did not disenfranchise existing fans or turn off newbies.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	Álvaro Alonso	87 / 100	09-21-2020	Quotation forthcoming.	Read review
IGN	Mitchell Saltzman	10 / 10	09-14-2020	Spelunky 2 is a masterpiece of procedurally generated platforming that stays true to the legendarily challenging original while also holding surprises around every corner.	Read review
IGN Italy	Damaso Scibetta	9.2 / 10	09-24-2020	A beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Spelunky 2 is all a sequel should be: polished, refined, bigger. A game of learning, a game of death, a game of emergent beautiful gameplay. Every second in this game is pure art: it will frustrate you, but in a positive way in which you will shout at the TV and then smile and retry. Just to die again, until you’ll learn enough.	Read review
IGN Spain	Oriol Vall-Llovera	9 / 10	09-18-2020	Spelunky 2 is an absolute gem. A game that preserves all the virtues of the original title, and which adds small tweaks to create an even more rounded experience. We can rarely play games that are so complicated and, at the same time, so fair to the player (or not). The point is that you will always want one more game. And when you play it, you’ll be a little bit better. Just a little. Too bad that sometimes it seems more like an expansion than a sequel.	Read review
Jump Dash Roll	Jon Peltz	8 / 10	10-14-2020	Ultimately, Spelunky 2 is a game for platforming fanatics. It reminded me of my time with Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which was another frustrating, but fine-tuned game that I kept playing almost to spite the game. It’s a game that can feel stagnant, random, and insurmountable, only to break once you sink your teeth into it and find a real opening. Those moments are truly cathartic, and there is always more to do and see. You’ll die a lot, but if you keep climbing up from Spelunky 2’s depths of despair, you’ll be platforming forever.	Read review
Paste Magazine	Garrett Martin	9.2 / 10	09-15-2020	The genius of Spelunky 2 is that it somehow adds new possibilities to a game that already had endless possibilities. That’s legitimately impressive. And that’s why I’m sure I’ll be playing this for as long as I’ve played the original, both games coexisting blissfully together as one of the absolute best parent-child pairs in gaming.	Read review
PC Gamer	Shaun Prescott	87 / 100	09-28-2020	Spelunky 2 doesn’t advance the original’s formula, but there’s more stuff to sink your teeth into.	Read review
PC Invasion	Kurt Perry	10 / 10	09-29-2020	The original Spelunky’s only obvious shortcoming was that its level design was somewhat limited. Spelunky 2 takes what made the original so great, fixes that shortcoming, and leaves us with one of the best-made indie games you’ll ever play. A truly sensational effort from Mossmouth.	Read review
PCGamesN	Iain Harris	9 / 10	09-28-2020	A teasing blend of punishment and reward that will delight roguelike fans whether they played the first or not, Mossmouth’s great achievement is in adding so much depth and scope without overcomplicating the formula.	Read review
PlayStation LifeStyle	Chandler Wood	9 / 10	09-29-2020	Many games fall into the roguelike genre, but few define it. Spelunky 2’s secrets and danger-infused caverns make it simultaneously one of the most frustrating and rewarding games I’ve ever played. Yet, having barely scratched the surface of what it offers, I can’t wait to start another run—whether in search of secrets or just to see how far I can ultimately get. And in the end, isn’t the desire to continue playing the hallmark of any great game?	Read review
PlayStation Universe	John-Paul Jones	10 / 10	09-14-2020	A thunderous sequel that surpasses its already incredible predecessor in every way that counts, Spelunky 2 is the ultimate roguelike and ruthlessly inventive platformer that never stops surprising and delighting those who pick up the controller. There are perhaps far fewer better ways to close out a console generation than this.	Read review
Polygon	Chris Plante	Recommended	09-14-2020	This isn’t a sequel. It’s yet another chance to play Spelunky with fresh eyes; everything is just a little different, another stroke that proves perfection is imperfect. Even the best can get better.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Francisco Maia	90 / 100	09-25-2020	Although Spelunky 2 recycles much of the formula that made the first game so great, it is a fantastic evolution. This is another “benchmark” for procedural games, which promises to provide countless discoveries and curiosities over the years. It is a product that tests the skill of both beginners and veterans. An essential experience for fans of the genre, whether in solo or cooperative mode.	Read review
Push Square	Stephen Tailby	8 / 10	09-21-2020	Spelunky 2 betters its predecessor in just about every area. Push through its tough outer shell and you’ll discover a fantastic platformer well worth your time. More stuffed with secrets than ever and fleshing out the formula with all kinds of new additions, this is a rich and addictive roguelike with so much to unearth.	Read review
Rock, Paper, Shotgun	Graham Smith	Recommended	09-29-2020	Spelunky 2 makes Spelunky new again: a fancier strap, more cogs, a cuckoo popping out from a hidden compartment on the hour. The correct time, as delightful as the first time I learned to tell it.	Read review
Saudi Gamer	محمد الدوسري	10 / 10	09-19-2020	I’ve spent many hours in the first game and I didn’t expect Spelunky 2 to be released and offers new additions and more fun overall for the series, You should not miss the experience of Spelunky 2, Especially if you’re a fan of these type of games	Read review
Shacknews	Ozzie Mejia	9 / 10	09-14-2020	Spelunky 2 is a treasure in every way, one you’ll be glad you’ve discovered.	Read review
Slant Magazine	Steven Scaife	4 / 5 stars	09-23-2020	Spelunky 2 remains staunchly committed to its immaculate core design.	Read review
SpazioGames	Francesco Corica	9 / 10	10-04-2020	Spelunky 2 is the classic title that will make you say “just one more game before I quit”, only to make you suddenly realize you already played ten more.	Read review
The Games Machine	Emanuele Feronato	9.2 / 10	10-02-2020	Awesome. A game that basically does not add anything to the platform genre, and still manages to be original and innovative by mixing all the ingredients with mastery. Despite the extreme difficulty it is never frustrating, keeping you in front of the screen for another run, and then another one and one more, while you promise yourself the next run will be the last. Recommended for both hardcore gamers aiming for the best score, and a more casual audience looking to have fun, and who don’t mind if they will only see a small part of the game. After all, how many of us have ever finished Bubble Bobble?	Read review
Twinfinite	Keenan McCall	4.5 / 5 stars	09-16-2020	There’s little else that can be said about Spelunky 2 other than that it does right by its forebear. It’s still just as addictive as ever to journey into untold dangers over and over, and even if it may put off newcomers with its difficulty curve, it’s an experience worth having for anyone willing to rise to its challenges.	Read review
USgamer	Mathew Olson	4.5 / 5 stars	09-14-2020	Spelunky 2 is an outstanding sequel. Derek Yu, BlitWorks, and the rest of the team behind it have assembled a game that adds to what made Spelunky great without trending toward bloat or changing too much of the essentials. In some minor ways, the level randomization and art style don’t feel quite up-to-par, but the overall package is polished, compelling, and brimming with secrets. As ever, players will die over and over in pursuit of a successful run or even just an ounce of progress, which is the way it’s meant to be. I’m excited to see what others uncover as they pick themselves up again and again to venture deeper into Spelunky 2’s depths.	Read review
Video Chums	A.J. Maciejewski	7.3 / 10	10-01-2020	Spelunky 2 is the definition of an addictive game with its high degree of difficulty, charming world, and sense of randomness. However, addictive doesn’t necessarily mean fun and unfortunately, I stopped enjoying it after a few hours even though I kept playing anyway.	Read review
Wccftech	Rosh Kelly	9.5 / 10	09-15-2020	In Spelunky 2 you never get the same game twice, not just because the layout changes but because all the systems interact with each other to kill you in new, imaginative, and hilarious ways. It’s almost impossible to put down.	Read review
We Got This Covered	Cheyenne Clark	4.5 / 5 stars	09-23-2020	Spelunky 2 offers a challenging, but rewarding experience. With so many new levels, items, and enemies, there’s no shortage of exploration and mystery. It expands upon the addicting gameplay of the first game and offers an entirely unique experience each time you play.	Read review
Worth Playing	Chris “Atom” DeAngelus	9 / 10	09-18-2020	Spelunky 2 is more of Spelunky, and that is all it needs to be. It is still ridiculously enjoyable, packed with content, and the right mix of challenging and engaging. It’s still going to kill you a half-dozen times, too. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it revitalizes an experience that risked going stale after a decade. The only downside is that the online experience isn’t the best, but the rest of the game holds up great. If you liked Spelunky, then you’ll like Spelunky 2, and if you never played the original, then Spelunky 2 is a great place to start. Just remember to always look before you leap.	Read review
ZTGD	Sophie Halliday	8 / 10	09-30-2020	Spelunky 2 is likely to delight those who revere its predecessor. As for newcomers, a whole new world of curiosity, frustration, rage quitting, perseverance and reward awaits. This is a game that may be a challenge to get into for some, but sooner rather than later determination to succeed will likely evolve into devotion. This will be a game that will always encourage players to come back for more.	Read review

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Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

Spelunky returns in this greatly-expanded sequel to the original roguelike platformer! Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family. Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new.

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Spelunky 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Where to Play

Awards & Recognition

Critic Reviews for Spelunky 2

Gold TIER

Game Info

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